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<p>Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has received massive criticism on social media over his stand against caste. The trolls went on to remind him of his daughter Shruti's reported remarks about her caste identity some years ago.</p>

<p>Mr Haasan's recent Twitter remarks that he had refused to fill in the caste and religion column in his daughters' school admission certificate, was asked if that alone could end caste issues.</p>

<p>"I refused to fill in the caste and religion column in both my daughters' school admission certificate. That's the only way, it will pass on to the next generation. Every individual should start contributing for progress. Kerala started implementing the same. Those who do should be celebrated," Mr Haasan had tweeted.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I refused to fill in the caste&religion column in both my daughters’ school admission certificate.That’s the only way,it will pass on to the next generation.Every individual shld start contributing fr progress.Kerala started implementing the same.Those who do shld be celebrated <a href="https://t.co/DLdTubcfW1">https://t.co/DLdTubcfW1</a></p>
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ikamalhaasan/status/1012949897069223939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>However, a Twitter user uploaded a segment of a TV interview by Shruti Haasan in which she appears to say she was an "Iyengar" (a Brahmin Vaishnavite sect).</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Caste passes on to next-gen by parenting and not just by filling caste in school admission form.<br />
Proof: Shruti Hassan Iyengar's interview with Niranjan Iyengar.<br />
Sorry Mr. <a href="https://twitter.com/ikamalhaasan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ikamalhaasan</a> your idea isn't working. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AskKamalHaasan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AskKamalHaasan</a> <a href="https://t.co/qmsnbMjono">pic.twitter.com/qmsnbMjono</a></p>
— The Mask (@mask2821) <a href="https://twitter.com/mask2821/status/1013130969895796738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;"@ikamalhaasan ur attempts to abolish caste has totally failed sir despite you not filling in the school application. Start your reform from home sir. Not filling in caste is not a solution, bring the kids up in a way they don't know their caste #Hypocrite," wrote one user.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Shruti had "proudly" identified her father, her sister and herself to be "iyengar," another Twitter user said, adding "mere removal of the "poonool" (sacred thread-janevu) or tearing apart the caste certificate will not end caste."</p>

<p>Mr Haasan had made remarks about the sacred thread as well, saying it "affected" him.</p>

<p>Replying to a Twitter user's question on the 'Nool' (book in Tamil) that impacted him the most, the actor took to word play to say he was affected by 'poonool' the sacred thread.</p>

<p>His tweet in Tamil roughly translates to "there is one nool (thread) that I was affected most the poonool.. That is why I avoided it," he said.</p>


A Twitter user uploaded a segment of a TV interview by Shruti Haasan in which she appears to say she was an "Iyengar" (a Brahmin Vaishnavite sect)

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has received massive criticism on social media over his stand against caste. The trolls went on to remind him of his daughter Shruti's reported remarks about her caste identity some years ago. Mr Haasan's recent Twitter remarks that he had refused to fill in the caste and religion column in his daughters' school admission certificate, was asked if that alone could end caste issues. "I refused to fill in the caste and religion column in both my daughters' school admission certificate. That's the only way, it will pass on to the next generation. Every individual should start contributing for progress. Kerala started implementing the same. Those who do should be celebrated," Mr Haasan had tweeted. I refused to fill in the caste&religion column in both my daughters’ school admission certificate.That’s the only way,it will pass on to the next generation.Every individual shld start contributing fr progress.Kerala started implementing the same.Those who do shld be celebrated https://t.co/DLdTubcfW1 — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 30, 2018 × However, a Twitter user uploaded a segment of a TV interview by Shruti Haasan in which she appears to say she was an "Iyengar" (a Brahmin Vaishnavite sect). Caste passes on to next-gen by parenting and not just by filling caste in school admission form. Proof: Shruti Hassan Iyengar's interview with Niranjan Iyengar. Sorry Mr. @ikamalhaasan your idea isn't working. #AskKamalHaasan pic.twitter.com/qmsnbMjono — The Mask (@mask2821) June 30, 2018 × "@ikamalhaasan ur attempts to abolish caste has totally failed sir despite you not filling in the school application. Start your reform from home sir. Not filling in caste is not a solution, bring the kids up in a way they don't know their caste #Hypocrite," wrote one user. Shruti had "proudly" identified her father, her sister and herself to be "iyengar," another Twitter user said, adding "mere removal of the "poonool" (sacred thread-janevu) or tearing apart the caste certificate will not end caste." Mr Haasan had made remarks about the sacred thread as well, saying it "affected" him. Replying to a Twitter user's question on the 'Nool' (book in Tamil) that impacted him the most, the actor took to word play to say he was affected by 'poonool' the sacred thread. His tweet in Tamil roughly translates to "there is one nool (thread) that I was affected most the poonool.. That is why I avoided it," he said.

Watch: Kamal Haasan trolled by Twitterati over caste stand, told 'reform starts at home'

<p>After Prime Minister Narendra Modi sounded the election bugle in Uttar Pradesh last week, the BJP and Congress presidents will be in the state to feel the pulse of the people and party workers for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>While Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Amethi from July 4, during which he is likely to meet party workers and attend several programmes, BJP president Amit Shah will be in Varanasi, Mirzapur and Agra on the same dates.</p>

<p>Gandhi will visit the family of a Muslim farmer who died in May at a government procurement centre while waiting for four days in scorching heat to sell his produce.</p>

<p>"The death of farmers showed apathetic attitude of state government. He died waiting for days to sell his produce. Rahulji will certainly visit his house and meet his family members," Congress MLC Deepak Singh said, adding that no BJP leader has visited the farmer's home.</p>

<p>According to BJP leaders, Shah will try to feel the pulse of the people in the state in a meeting with Lok Sabha in-charges of Kashi, Gorakhpur and Awadh regions on July 4.</p>

<p>Shah will also address a social media workers' meet organised by the party's IT cell and give "winning tips" to the workers, a senior BJP leader said.</p>

<p>"Anyone active on social media can attend the meeting. For that, prior registration will continue till today. The party chief will be interacting with the participants," the head of BJP's IT cell, Sanjay Rai, said.</p>

<p>The meet assumes significance as the BJP would be using social media platforms to "aggressively" counter what he said was the opposition's propaganda.</p>

<p>In Agra on July 5, Shah will attend an intellectuals' meet and take feedback from Lok Sabha in-charges.</p>

<p>The BJP swept Uttar Pradesh in 2014, winning 73 of its 80 Lok Sabha seats.<br />
Shah will also be reviewing the performance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government amid talk of a reshuffle.</p>

<p>The party witnessed humiliating defeats in Adityanath's Gorakhpur Lok Sabha constituency and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya's Kaushambi constituency as well as Kairana parliamentary and Noorpur assembly bypolls.&nbsp</p>

<p>Modi virtually kicked off the election campaign on June 28 with a public rally in Maghar town in Sant Kabir Nagar district, when he slammed the opposition, saying some parties want unrest by creating doubts in the minds of the people for political gains.</p>

<p>He is likely to visit UP again on July 14-15, when he will attend public meetings in Azamgarh and his constituency, Varanasi, besides laying the foundation stone of the Purvanchal expressway.</p>

<p>Preparations for the PM's visit are underway in Azamgarh parliamentary constituency, which is represented by senior Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav. He will, however, contest from Mainpuri this time.</p>

<p>The PM had also taken a swipe at the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party stating that those who always talk of ' samajwad' and ' bahujan' are "extremely selfish" and they don't see the welfare of society but only the welfare of themselves and their families.</p>


While Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Amethi from July 4, BJP president Amit Shah will be in Varanasi, Mirzapur and Agra on the same dates.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi sounded the election bugle in Uttar Pradesh last week, the BJP and Congress presidents will be in the state to feel the pulse of the people and party workers for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. While Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Amethi from July 4, during which he is likely to meet party workers and attend several programmes, BJP president Amit Shah will be in Varanasi, Mirzapur and Agra on the same dates. Gandhi will visit the family of a Muslim farmer who died in May at a government procurement centre while waiting for four days in scorching heat to sell his produce. "The death of farmers showed apathetic attitude of state government. He died waiting for days to sell his produce. Rahulji will certainly visit his house and meet his family members," Congress MLC Deepak Singh said, adding that no BJP leader has visited the farmer's home. According to BJP leaders, Shah will try to feel the pulse of the people in the state in a meeting with Lok Sabha in-charges of Kashi, Gorakhpur and Awadh regions on July 4. Shah will also address a social media workers' meet organised by the party's IT cell and give "winning tips" to the workers, a senior BJP leader said. "Anyone active on social media can attend the meeting. For that, prior registration will continue till today. The party chief will be interacting with the participants," the head of BJP's IT cell, Sanjay Rai, said. The meet assumes significance as the BJP would be using social media platforms to "aggressively" counter what he said was the opposition's propaganda. In Agra on July 5, Shah will attend an intellectuals' meet and take feedback from Lok Sabha in-charges. The BJP swept Uttar Pradesh in 2014, winning 73 of its 80 Lok Sabha seats. Shah will also be reviewing the performance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government amid talk of a reshuffle. The party witnessed humiliating defeats in Adityanath's Gorakhpur Lok Sabha constituency and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya's Kaushambi constituency as well as Kairana parliamentary and Noorpur assembly bypolls. Modi virtually kicked off the election campaign on June 28 with a public rally in Maghar town in Sant Kabir Nagar district, when he slammed the opposition, saying some parties want unrest by creating doubts in the minds of the people for political gains. He is likely to visit UP again on July 14-15, when he will attend public meetings in Azamgarh and his constituency, Varanasi, besides laying the foundation stone of the Purvanchal expressway. Preparations for the PM's visit are underway in Azamgarh parliamentary constituency, which is represented by senior Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav. He will, however, contest from Mainpuri this time. The PM had also taken a swipe at the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party stating that those who always talk of ' samajwad' and ' bahujan' are "extremely selfish" and they don't see the welfare of society but only the welfare of themselves and their families.

Mission 2019: BJP, Congress presidents target Uttar Pradesh

<p>RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav has said he intended to put up a “no entry” board at his mother’s house in Patna for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in line with his party’s stand that the door is closed for return of JD(U) president to the Grand Alliance, which also comprises Congress.</p>

<p>Reacting to the maverick Yadav’s deriding remark, JD(U) spokesman and MLC Neeraj Kumar on Monday said their house is frequently raided by CBI, Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate. Who would like to enter it in the first place?</p>

<p>I wish to put up a board proclaiming No Entry for uncle Nitish Kumar here, at this bungalow, Tej Pratap Yadav, elder son of Lalu Prasad, had told reporters on Sunday, outside the 10, Circular Road residence allotted to his mother and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, a stones throw from the Chief Minister’s official residence 1, Anney Marg.</p>

<p>Yadav was replying to queries about the statement made last week by his younger brother Tejashwi Yadav, whom the party has named its Chief Ministerial candidate for the next assembly polls, that the door is closed for Nitish Kumar who is said to be growing uncomfortable in the BJP-led NDA.</p>

<p>Tejashwi Yadav, who is also the leader of the opposition in the state assembly, had made the statement in the backdrop of reports that Congress, was willing to take Kumar back in the alliance upon his breaking ties with the BJP.</p>

<p>Tej Pratap Yadav, whose family has been targeted many times by Sushil Kumar Modi over alleged irregular land transactions, said the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister should sit at home and drink tea, the people are going to give him a befitting reply in the next elections.</p>

<p>Replying to a query, the former health minister made it clear I am not going to contest the Lok Sabha polls as I have no desire to move out of Bihar. I will contest the next assembly polls.</p>

<p>When asked about Tej Pratap Yadavs remarks, JD(U) spokesman told PTI the language used by the RJD leader reflects the values he has grown up with. He also seems to be frustrated over having to play second fiddle to his younger brother.</p>

<p>Notably, the Grand Alliance had come into being after Nitish Kumar and his arch-rival RJD supremo Lalu Prasad sank their differences and joined hands, in the wake of the drubbing received by them in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>The three-party alliance swept the assembly elections held a year later, causing the biggest setback to the BJP-led NDA’s winning spree. Tejashwi, then just 26 years old, was made the Deputy CM. However, after money laundering cases were lodged against him last year, relations began to sour between the RJD and Nitish Kumar.</p>

<p>The Chief Minister finally walked out of the alliance in July last year, formed a new government with the BJP and returned to the NDA, which he had quit in 2013 following differences over the projection of Narendra Modi, then the Gujarat Chief Minister, as the Prime Ministerial candidate.</p>


Reacting to the maverick Yadav's deriding remark, JD(U) spokesman and MLC Neeraj Kumar on Monday said their house is frequently raided by CBI, Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate. Who would like to enter it in the first place?

RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav has said he intended to put up a “no entry” board at his mother’s house in Patna for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in line with his party’s stand that the door is closed for return of JD(U) president to the Grand Alliance, which also comprises Congress. Reacting to the maverick Yadav’s deriding remark, JD(U) spokesman and MLC Neeraj Kumar on Monday said their house is frequently raided by CBI, Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate. Who would like to enter it in the first place? I wish to put up a board proclaiming No Entry for uncle Nitish Kumar here, at this bungalow, Tej Pratap Yadav, elder son of Lalu Prasad, had told reporters on Sunday, outside the 10, Circular Road residence allotted to his mother and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, a stones throw from the Chief Minister’s official residence 1, Anney Marg. Yadav was replying to queries about the statement made last week by his younger brother Tejashwi Yadav, whom the party has named its Chief Ministerial candidate for the next assembly polls, that the door is closed for Nitish Kumar who is said to be growing uncomfortable in the BJP-led NDA. Tejashwi Yadav, who is also the leader of the opposition in the state assembly, had made the statement in the backdrop of reports that Congress, was willing to take Kumar back in the alliance upon his breaking ties with the BJP. Tej Pratap Yadav, whose family has been targeted many times by Sushil Kumar Modi over alleged irregular land transactions, said the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister should sit at home and drink tea, the people are going to give him a befitting reply in the next elections. Replying to a query, the former health minister made it clear I am not going to contest the Lok Sabha polls as I have no desire to move out of Bihar. I will contest the next assembly polls. When asked about Tej Pratap Yadavs remarks, JD(U) spokesman told PTI the language used by the RJD leader reflects the values he has grown up with. He also seems to be frustrated over having to play second fiddle to his younger brother. Notably, the Grand Alliance had come into being after Nitish Kumar and his arch-rival RJD supremo Lalu Prasad sank their differences and joined hands, in the wake of the drubbing received by them in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The three-party alliance swept the assembly elections held a year later, causing the biggest setback to the BJP-led NDA’s winning spree. Tejashwi, then just 26 years old, was made the Deputy CM. However, after money laundering cases were lodged against him last year, relations began to sour between the RJD and Nitish Kumar. The Chief Minister finally walked out of the alliance in July last year, formed a new government with the BJP and returned to the NDA, which he had quit in 2013 following differences over the projection of Narendra Modi, then the Gujarat Chief Minister, as the Prime Ministerial candidate.

Tej Pratap Yadav says he wants a ‘no entry’ board for Nitish Kumar, JD(U) hits back

<p>The Kerala police on Monday registered a case of rape and molestation against four priests in connection with the Church sex scandal.</p>

<p>The victim, in her statement to police, confirms she was raped & blackmailed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In June, a man from Kerala's Pathanamthitta district accused five priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of using his wife’s secret confession to blackmail and sexually abuse her.</p>

<p>After using the confession secret to blackmail and sexually abuse the woman, the priest further passed the information to the other priests. This continued and resulted in a chain of blackmail and sexual abuse of the woman.</p>

<p>Speaking to Media, victim’s husband said, “Some people even ask me what evidence I have to complain that my wife was sexually abused by the priests. My evidence is the statement of my wife, what she has given in writing to me. I have given the complaint along with her statement.”</p>

<p>Citing this sexual abuse case, women members of a Kerala-based outfit on July 1 sought reform of the centuries-old method of the sacrament of confession, saying nuns be allowed to perform the penance for women.</p>


The victim, in her statement to police, confirms she was raped & blackmailed.

The Kerala police on Monday registered a case of rape and molestation against four priests in connection with the Church sex scandal. The victim, in her statement to police, confirms she was raped & blackmailed. In June, a man from Kerala's Pathanamthitta district accused five priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of using his wife’s secret confession to blackmail and sexually abuse her. After using the confession secret to blackmail and sexually abuse the woman, the priest further passed the information to the other priests. This continued and resulted in a chain of blackmail and sexual abuse of the woman. Speaking to Media, victim’s husband said, “Some people even ask me what evidence I have to complain that my wife was sexually abused by the priests. My evidence is the statement of my wife, what she has given in writing to me. I have given the complaint along with her statement.” Citing this sexual abuse case, women members of a Kerala-based outfit on July 1 sought reform of the centuries-old method of the sacrament of confession, saying nuns be allowed to perform the penance for women.

Kerala church sex scandal: Rape case registered against four priests

<p>Uganda’s parliament has passed new laws that introduced a new tax for use of popular social media platforms which include WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Google Hangouts, Yahoo Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, Skype and others.</p>

<p>Ugandans will have to cough up 200 Ugandan shillings ($0.05) a day to use popular social media platforms.</p>

<p>The controversial tax was first introduced in April after the country’s president, Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986, wrote a letter to the Treasury stating that social media encouraged gossip that was costing Uganda time and income.</p>

<p>Payment will be via the three telecom firms’ mobile money platforms. Customers will then be granted access to the platforms if they already have data on their devices.</p>

<p>Critics of the new tax say it will potentially hike the cost of data in a country where per capita income stands at about $600.</p>

<p>Data costs in Africa are already among the world’s highest, according to digital advocacy group World Wide Web Foundation.</p>

<p>Of Uganda’s 41 million people, 23.6 million are mobile phone subscribers and 17 million use the internet, according to state-run Uganda Communications Commission.</p>

<p>Opponents of the new tax also say it could also act as a curb on free speech in the country, but government officials say the levy is needed to generate revenues to fund the expansion of public services.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Reuters)</em></p>


Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986, wrote a letter to the Treasury stating that social media encouraged gossip that was costing Uganda time and income.

Uganda’s parliament has passed new laws that introduced a new tax for use of popular social media platforms which include WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Google Hangouts, Yahoo Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, Skype and others. Ugandans will have to cough up 200 Ugandan shillings ($0.05) a day to use popular social media platforms. The controversial tax was first introduced in April after the country’s president, Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986, wrote a letter to the Treasury stating that social media encouraged gossip that was costing Uganda time and income. Payment will be via the three telecom firms’ mobile money platforms. Customers will then be granted access to the platforms if they already have data on their devices. Critics of the new tax say it will potentially hike the cost of data in a country where per capita income stands at about $600. Data costs in Africa are already among the world’s highest, according to digital advocacy group World Wide Web Foundation. Of Uganda’s 41 million people, 23.6 million are mobile phone subscribers and 17 million use the internet, according to state-run Uganda Communications Commission. Opponents of the new tax also say it could also act as a curb on free speech in the country, but government officials say the levy is needed to generate revenues to fund the expansion of public services. (With inputs from Reuters)

Uganda government introduces tax on social media users to curb 'gossip'

<p>A trainee police constable’s enthusiasm for ‘selfies’ landed him in the police lock-up after he took his picture while sitting in a senior judge’s chair in a court here, an official said Monday.</p>

<p>Ram Avtar Rawat, 28, the trainee constable at the police academy in Umaria, was later arrested on charges of trespassing, the official said.</p>

<p>On Saturday, Rawat, who was allegedly in an inebriated condition at that time, passed by the district judge’s room in the court premises here, Kotwali police station in-charge R B Soni said.</p>

<p>On noticing that the room was open and empty, he went inside, sat in the district judge’s chair and started clicking selfies on his mobile phone, Soni said.</p>

<p>The court peon, Shakti Singh, saw the trainee constable’s act and caught hold of him. The peon informed court officials who in-turn called the police and Rawat was arrested, Soni said.</p>

<p>The police registered a case against Rawat under Indian Penal Code section 448 (trespass), he added. He was later granted bail at the police station itself, investigating officer Sarika Sharma said.</p>


Ram Avtar Rawat, 28, the trainee constable at the police academy in Umaria, was later arrested on charges of trespassing, the official said.

A trainee police constable’s enthusiasm for ‘selfies’ landed him in the police lock-up after he took his picture while sitting in a senior judge’s chair in a court here, an official said Monday. Ram Avtar Rawat, 28, the trainee constable at the police academy in Umaria, was later arrested on charges of trespassing, the official said. On Saturday, Rawat, who was allegedly in an inebriated condition at that time, passed by the district judge’s room in the court premises here, Kotwali police station in-charge R B Soni said. On noticing that the room was open and empty, he went inside, sat in the district judge’s chair and started clicking selfies on his mobile phone, Soni said. The court peon, Shakti Singh, saw the trainee constable’s act and caught hold of him. The peon informed court officials who in-turn called the police and Rawat was arrested, Soni said. The police registered a case against Rawat under Indian Penal Code section 448 (trespass), he added. He was later granted bail at the police station itself, investigating officer Sarika Sharma said.

Madhya Pradesh: Trainee cop held for taking selfie in judge’s chair

<p>The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to set up a facility for safe storage of radioactive spent nuclear fuel at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) by April 2022.</p>

<p>The apex court, which had earlier granted time till May 30 this year for the purpose, extended the time for the NPCIL to set up the ‘Away From Reactor Facility’ (AFR) to store the spent nuclear fuel. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud considered the submission of Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the corporation, that the deadline for setting up of the storage facility be extended till April 30, 2022.</p>

<p>The bench, however, made it clear that no further extension of time shall be granted to the corporation for setting up of the AFR at the nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>The apex court had earlier allowed the Centre to operationalise the nuclear plant subject to compliance with various safety measures including the safe storage of the spent nuclear fuel.</p>


The apex court had earlier allowed the Centre to operationalise the nuclear plant subject to compliance with various safety measures including the safe storage of the spent nuclear fuel.

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to set up a facility for safe storage of radioactive spent nuclear fuel at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) by April 2022. The apex court, which had earlier granted time till May 30 this year for the purpose, extended the time for the NPCIL to set up the ‘Away From Reactor Facility’ (AFR) to store the spent nuclear fuel. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud considered the submission of Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the corporation, that the deadline for setting up of the storage facility be extended till April 30, 2022. The bench, however, made it clear that no further extension of time shall be granted to the corporation for setting up of the AFR at the nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu. The apex court had earlier allowed the Centre to operationalise the nuclear plant subject to compliance with various safety measures including the safe storage of the spent nuclear fuel.

SC extends time till April 2022 for setting up of facility at Kudankulam plant

<p>A few years back, as Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and Ajay Devgn 'Shivaay' clashed at the Box Office, the filmmaker and the actor had a very public spat. Devgn had accused Johar of sabotaging the reviews of 'Shivaay', thereby hindering its business.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Johar in his memoir 'The Unsuitable Boy' had mentioned how the friendship that he once shared with Devgn's wife Kajol had turned sour post this incident and had categorically mentioned that he would not want to patch things up and that how the actress was no longer a part of his life.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Cut to July 2018. Karan Johar and Kajol walked in together at the Ambani&nbsp;bash together. The once best friends seemed to have patched up as the two happily posed for shutterbugs before entering Antilla for Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta's engagement party. As the two posed, the news of their fall out seemed to have been a thing of the past.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="kajol kjo2.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/kajol%20kjo2.jpg" width="770" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkp6sLMnxJP/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Kajol Devgan (@kajol)</a> on <time datetime="2018-06-30T16:08:08+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">Jun 30, 2018 at 9:08am PDT</time></p>
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<p>News of their patch up, in fact, first came in 2017 as Kajol went and liked a photo of Johar's twins and Johar later followed her on Instagram. Sources close to the actress state that it was Kajol who extended the olive branch towards Johar and invited him over for a private bash to her place sometime last year.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The two since then, have often indulged in conversation on social media- commenting on each other's photos even.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
On Saturday, Kajol and Karan Johar made their first public outing together post patch up. Johar even shared a photo of the actress and SRK together which left the internet asking KJo to cast the popular pair in a film together.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0 padding:0 4px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkrZmQ5F_VR/" style=" color:#000 font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">Years of love....years of movies....memories forever.... @kajol @iamsrk ❤️</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/karanjohar/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px" target="_blank"> Karan Johar</a> (@karanjohar) on <time datetime="2018-07-01T05:57:27+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">Jun 30, 2018 at 10:57pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>Now that the two seemed to have patched up, here's hoping the wish of seeing Johar directing the actress once again in a film comes true.&nbsp;</p>


The two had a fallout a few years back during the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and 'Shivaay'.

A few years back, as Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and Ajay Devgn 'Shivaay' clashed at the Box Office, the filmmaker and the actor had a very public spat. Devgn had accused Johar of sabotaging the reviews of 'Shivaay', thereby hindering its business. Johar in his memoir 'The Unsuitable Boy' had mentioned how the friendship that he once shared with Devgn's wife Kajol had turned sour post this incident and had categorically mentioned that he would not want to patch things up and that how the actress was no longer a part of his life. Cut to July 2018. Karan Johar and Kajol walked in together at the Ambani bash together. The once best friends seemed to have patched up as the two happily posed for shutterbugs before entering Antilla for Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta's engagement party. As the two posed, the news of their fall out seemed to have been a thing of the past. A post shared by Kajol Devgan (@kajol) on Jun 30, 2018 at 9:08am PDT × News of their patch up, in fact, first came in 2017 as Kajol went and liked a photo of Johar's twins and Johar later followed her on Instagram. Sources close to the actress state that it was Kajol who extended the olive branch towards Johar and invited him over for a private bash to her place sometime last year. The two since then, have often indulged in conversation on social media- commenting on each other's photos even. On Saturday, Kajol and Karan Johar made their first public outing together post patch up. Johar even shared a photo of the actress and SRK together which left the internet asking KJo to cast the popular pair in a film together. Years of love....years of movies....memories forever.... @kajol @iamsrk ❤️ A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) on Jun 30, 2018 at 10:57pm PDT × Now that the two seemed to have patched up, here's hoping the wish of seeing Johar directing the actress once again in a film comes true.

Kajol, Karan Johar patch up as they arrive for the Ambani party together

<p>No one expected Ranbir Kapoor’s <em>Sanju</em> to steal Salman Khan’s thunder but well it has. As the highest weekend <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-sanju-box-office-collections-film-leaves-padmaavat-race-3-far-behind-earns-rs-7335-in-two-days-148321">grossing film</a>, <em>Sanju</em> is only behind <em>Baahubali 2: The Conclusion</em> in it overall first-weekend collection.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Sanju</em>&nbsp;entered the Rs 100 crore club with an easy sweep as it took home Rs 34.75 crore on Friday, Rs 38.60 crore on Saturday and Rs 46.50 crore on Sunday with a total sitting pretty at Rs 120.06 crore. Ranbir’s film has easily taken the highest opening weekend title of 2018. <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-this-is-what-girlfriend-alia-bhatt-thinks-of-ranbir-kapoors-sanju-148308"><em>Also read:&nbsp;This is what girlfriend Alia Bhatt thinks of Ranbir Kapoor's 'Sanju'!</em></a></p>

<p>It surpassed Salman Khan’s <em>Tiger Zinda Hai’</em>s first-weekend collection as TZH earned Rs 115 crore net. It is the first time than a non-Khan Hindi film has held a weekend record.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Taran tweeted the stats:</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sanju?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sanju</a> sets the BO on ???... Gets <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JaaduKiJhappi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JaaduKiJhappi</a> from the audience... Collects ₹ 46.71 cr on Sun, MIND-BOGGLING... Has an EXCEPTIONAL ₹ ? cr+ opng weekend... Emerges HIGHEST OPENING WEEKEND of 2018... Fri 34.75 cr, Sat 38.60 cr, Sun 46.71 cr. Total: ₹ 120.06 cr. India biz.</p>
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1013657979848048640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>Sanju</em> also created history by recording the highest single day earning for a Hindi film and surpassed the record held by <em>Baahubali 2</em>. While <em>Baahubali </em>collected Rs 46.50 crore on day 3 (Sunday), <em>Sanju </em>collected Rs 46.71 crore on its day 3.</p>

<p>Read Taran’s tweet here:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sanju?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sanju</a> creates H-I-S-T-O-R-Y... Records HIGHEST SINGLE DAY for a HINDI film... DEMOLISHES the record held by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Baahubali2?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Baahubali2</a> [Hindi]... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Baahubali2?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Baahubali2</a> had collected ₹ 46.50 cr on Day 3 [Sun]… <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sanju?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sanju</a> has surpassed it, collects ₹ 46.71 cr on Day 3 [Sun]. India biz. Boxoffice on ???</p>
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1013663995230748672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>Sanju</em> is a biopic on the life of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt that was portrayed by Ranbir Kapoor on the big screen. The film goes through ups and downs of Sanjay’s life as he goes from being a star actor, an alleged criminal and a falling career and then finally rising back to stardom.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>These are top five films of the year:&nbsp;</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">TOP 5 - 2018<br />
Opening Weekend biz...<br />
1. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sanju?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sanju</a> ₹ 120.06 cr<br />
2. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavaat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavaat</a> ₹ 114 cr [5-day *extended* weekend select previews on Wed, released on Thu]... Hindi + Tamil + Telugu.<br />
3. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Race3?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Race3</a> ₹ 106.47 cr<br />
4. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Baaghi2?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Baaghi2</a> ₹ 73.10 cr<br />
5. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raid?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raid</a> ₹ 41.01 cr<br />
India biz.</p>
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1013658378474696705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The movie also stars Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Manisha Koirala, Paresh Rawal and Vicky Kaushal in important roles. Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal also charmed the audience with his stellar performance.&nbsp;</p>


The film is now only behind 'Baahubali 2- The Conclusion' which has the highest ever weekend collection record with Rs 127.28 crore

No one expected Ranbir Kapoor’s Sanju to steal Salman Khan’s thunder but well it has. As the highest weekend grossing film, Sanju is only behind Baahubali 2: The Conclusion in it overall first-weekend collection. Sanju entered the Rs 100 crore club with an easy sweep as it took home Rs 34.75 crore on Friday, Rs 38.60 crore on Saturday and Rs 46.50 crore on Sunday with a total sitting pretty at Rs 120.06 crore. Ranbir’s film has easily taken the highest opening weekend title of 2018. Also read: This is what girlfriend Alia Bhatt thinks of Ranbir Kapoor's 'Sanju'! It surpassed Salman Khan’s Tiger Zinda Hai’s first-weekend collection as TZH earned Rs 115 crore net. It is the first time than a non-Khan Hindi film has held a weekend record. Taran tweeted the stats: #Sanju sets the BO on ???... Gets #JaaduKiJhappi from the audience... Collects ₹ 46.71 cr on Sun, MIND-BOGGLING... Has an EXCEPTIONAL ₹ ? cr+ opng weekend... Emerges HIGHEST OPENING WEEKEND of 2018... Fri 34.75 cr, Sat 38.60 cr, Sun 46.71 cr. Total: ₹ 120.06 cr. India biz. — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 2, 2018 × Sanju also created history by recording the highest single day earning for a Hindi film and surpassed the record held by Baahubali 2. While Baahubali collected Rs 46.50 crore on day 3 (Sunday), Sanju collected Rs 46.71 crore on its day 3. Read Taran’s tweet here: #Sanju creates H-I-S-T-O-R-Y... Records HIGHEST SINGLE DAY for a HINDI film... DEMOLISHES the record held by #Baahubali2 [Hindi]... #Baahubali2 had collected ₹ 46.50 cr on Day 3 [Sun]… #Sanju has surpassed it, collects ₹ 46.71 cr on Day 3 [Sun]. India biz. Boxoffice on ??? — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 2, 2018 × Sanju is a biopic on the life of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt that was portrayed by Ranbir Kapoor on the big screen. The film goes through ups and downs of Sanjay’s life as he goes from being a star actor, an alleged criminal and a falling career and then finally rising back to stardom. These are top five films of the year: TOP 5 - 2018 Opening Weekend biz... 1. #Sanju ₹ 120.06 cr 2. #Padmavaat ₹ 114 cr [5-day *extended* weekend select previews on Wed, released on Thu]... Hindi + Tamil + Telugu. 3. #Race3 ₹ 106.47 cr 4. #Baaghi2 ₹ 73.10 cr 5. #Raid ₹ 41.01 cr India biz. — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 2, 2018 × The movie also stars Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Manisha Koirala, Paresh Rawal and Vicky Kaushal in important roles. Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal also charmed the audience with his stellar performance.

Ranbir Kapoor's 'Sanju' races ahead, becomes the highest weekend grossing Hindi movie ever

<p>Afghanistan's ambassador to <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-condemns-jalalabad-blast-extends-assistance-148367">India&nbsp;Shaida Mohammad Abdali </a>spoke exclusively to WION on the Jalalabad attack saying the attack was very "tragic".&nbsp;</p>

<p>A suicide blast in <a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/lone-sikh-candidate-among-those-killed-in-jalalabad-blast-148339">Nangarhar province in Jalalabad</a> claimed lives of 19 people and injured 20 others, mostly Sikhs and Hindus including politician Avtar Singh Khalsa.</p>

<p><a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/suicide-bomber-targets-group-of-sikhs-and-hindus-kills-12-in-afghanistan-148248">Also Read:&nbsp;Suicide bomber targets group of Sikhs and Hindus</a></p>

<p>The Afghan ambassador said Afghanistan is under attack, adding that "terror is coming from across the border".</p>

<p>The group of Sikhs were on their way to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani when the explosion occurred.</p>

<p>"Afghanistan is under attack," Abdali&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>On the death of Sikh politician Avtar Singh Khalsa, Abdali&nbsp;said he was a "patriotic Afghan", asserting that Afghan Sikh & Hindus were "more patriotic than common Afghans".</p>

<p>"Loss of Avtar Singh is an irreparable loss, Sikhs & Hindus have been in all walks of life in Afghanistan," the Afghan ambassador said.</p>

<p>"Jalalabad attack was an attack on our diversity and Indo-Afghan ties," he felt, saying: "India, Afghanistan have been impacted by terror from one country."</p>

<p>Hinting at Pakistan, the ambassador said: "A country in the region is sponsoring terror, both countries have been impacted by one country."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The world should not keep quiet on the role of the country that is sponsoring terror," Abdali insisted.</p>

<p>The attack was condemned by PM Modi who said it was an attack on "Afghanistan's multicultural fabric". PM Modi said the country was ready to assist Afghanistan.</p>

<p><iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0FNN6FYB80A" width="560"></iframe></p>


The Afghan ambassador said Afghanistan is under attack, adding that "terror coming from across the border".

Afghanistan's ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali spoke exclusively to WION on the Jalalabad attack saying the attack was very "tragic". A suicide blast in Nangarhar province in Jalalabad claimed lives of 19 people and injured 20 others, mostly Sikhs and Hindus including politician Avtar Singh Khalsa. Also Read: Suicide bomber targets group of Sikhs and Hindus The Afghan ambassador said Afghanistan is under attack, adding that "terror is coming from across the border". The group of Sikhs were on their way to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani when the explosion occurred. "Afghanistan is under attack," Abdali said. On the death of Sikh politician Avtar Singh Khalsa, Abdali said he was a "patriotic Afghan", asserting that Afghan Sikh & Hindus were "more patriotic than common Afghans". "Loss of Avtar Singh is an irreparable loss, Sikhs & Hindus have been in all walks of life in Afghanistan," the Afghan ambassador said. "Jalalabad attack was an attack on our diversity and Indo-Afghan ties," he felt, saying: "India, Afghanistan have been impacted by terror from one country." Hinting at Pakistan, the ambassador said: "A country in the region is sponsoring terror, both countries have been impacted by one country." "The world should not keep quiet on the role of the country that is sponsoring terror," Abdali insisted. The attack was condemned by PM Modi who said it was an attack on "Afghanistan's multicultural fabric". PM Modi said the country was ready to assist Afghanistan.

Jalalabad attack: 'Terror coming from across the border,' says Afghanistan ambassador to India

Kartik Aryan rose to fame with 'Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweety' in which he was pitted against Nushrat Bharucha in a film about two friends. He has been spotted with his rumoured girlfriend on several occasions in Mumbai.

Kartik Aryan steps out for dinner with friends in Mumbai

<p>Former cricketer Vinod &nbsp;Kambli's wife Andrea has accused composer Ankit Tiwari's father of inappropriately touching her in a mall in Mumbai. The incident took place on Sunday in Mumbai's Inorbit Mall and Andrea alleged that Rajendra Tiwari' had inappropriately touched her and she had hit back in retaliation. Kambli too reportedly got into a verbal argument and later registered a police complaint against the man.<br />
<br />
According to eyewitnesses the cricketer and his wife had an altercation with Ankur Tiwari and his father. Ankur is the brother of Bollywood singer and music director Ankit Tiwari.<br />
<br />
While Andrea has alleged that Tiwari’s father RK Tiwari deliberately brushed his hand against Andrea, &nbsp;Ankur states that the couple punched his 59-year-old father and that Andrea took off her sandal to assault him. The CCTV footage that Zeenews has acquired shows Kambli and his wife in a heated argument with Ankit, his brother Ankur and their father.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Kambli later told Mumbai Mirror that the three men tried to attack his wife and intimidate them. "We were at the Game Zone in the mall around 3 pm when my wife caught hold of an old man's hand. He had deliberately brushed his hand against her and when she caught him in the act, he pushed her away," he said. "Minutes later when we were at the food court, two men, who we assume were the man's sons, tried to attack my wife. When I told them to back off, they told me, 'You don't know who we are'."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Ankit Tiwari stated that they would not be taking the case lightly and have already filed a complaint against the cricketer. "It's quite shocking to see this kind of behaviour from a cricketer whose represented our nation, my father being aged has been assaulted by Vinod Kambli's wife and when we went to intervene Kambli pushed us around. Not on any cost are we going to sit tight or take this lightly, this behaviour can not be tolerated, it’s happened to us and we hope doesn’t happen to anyone else. We have filed a complaint and we have full faith in the judiciary to take action against this,"said Tiwari in a statement.<br />
<br />
The matter is being investigated by the Bangur Nagar police, but no arrests have been made so far in relation to the case.&nbsp;</p>


The Kamblis and the Tiwaris got into a heated argument on Sunday at a mall

Former cricketer Vinod Kambli's wife Andrea has accused composer Ankit Tiwari's father of inappropriately touching her in a mall in Mumbai. The incident took place on Sunday in Mumbai's Inorbit Mall and Andrea alleged that Rajendra Tiwari' had inappropriately touched her and she had hit back in retaliation. Kambli too reportedly got into a verbal argument and later registered a police complaint against the man. According to eyewitnesses the cricketer and his wife had an altercation with Ankur Tiwari and his father. Ankur is the brother of Bollywood singer and music director Ankit Tiwari. While Andrea has alleged that Tiwari’s father RK Tiwari deliberately brushed his hand against Andrea, Ankur states that the couple punched his 59-year-old father and that Andrea took off her sandal to assault him. The CCTV footage that Zeenews has acquired shows Kambli and his wife in a heated argument with Ankit, his brother Ankur and their father. Kambli later told Mumbai Mirror that the three men tried to attack his wife and intimidate them. "We were at the Game Zone in the mall around 3 pm when my wife caught hold of an old man's hand. He had deliberately brushed his hand against her and when she caught him in the act, he pushed her away," he said. "Minutes later when we were at the food court, two men, who we assume were the man's sons, tried to attack my wife. When I told them to back off, they told me, 'You don't know who we are'." Meanwhile, Ankit Tiwari stated that they would not be taking the case lightly and have already filed a complaint against the cricketer. "It's quite shocking to see this kind of behaviour from a cricketer whose represented our nation, my father being aged has been assaulted by Vinod Kambli's wife and when we went to intervene Kambli pushed us around. Not on any cost are we going to sit tight or take this lightly, this behaviour can not be tolerated, it’s happened to us and we hope doesn’t happen to anyone else. We have filed a complaint and we have full faith in the judiciary to take action against this,"said Tiwari in a statement. The matter is being investigated by the Bangur Nagar police, but no arrests have been made so far in relation to the case.

Vinod Kambli's wife accuses singer Ankit Tiwari's father of inappropriate behaviour

<p>Veteran Bengali actor Chinmoy Roy fell off the fourth floor of his apartment on Sunday&nbsp;evening, sustaining serious injuries.<br />
<br />
His son Sankha said the actor was found lying on the ground floor of the building in South Kolkata by neighbours and was admitted to a private super speciality hospital off E M Bypass.<br />
<br />
The 77-year-old actor suffered injuries on his arms, leg and other parts of the body, Sankha said, adding that he was now stable.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Sankha said that he was not at home when the incident took place.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The veteran actor had acted in classics like 'Charmurti', 'Basanta Bilap' and 'Nanigopaler Biye'.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Many actors and directors from the Bengali film industry visited Roy at the hospital.&nbsp;</p>


The actor's son has assured he is stable.

Veteran Bengali actor Chinmoy Roy fell off the fourth floor of his apartment on Sunday evening, sustaining serious injuries. His son Sankha said the actor was found lying on the ground floor of the building in South Kolkata by neighbours and was admitted to a private super speciality hospital off E M Bypass. The 77-year-old actor suffered injuries on his arms, leg and other parts of the body, Sankha said, adding that he was now stable. Sankha said that he was not at home when the incident took place. The veteran actor had acted in classics like 'Charmurti', 'Basanta Bilap' and 'Nanigopaler Biye'. Many actors and directors from the Bengali film industry visited Roy at the hospital.

Veteran Bengali actor Chinmoy Roy falls off the 4th floor of his apartment building, rushed to hospital

<p>The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider listing of a batch of petitions challenging the practices of polygamy and 'nikah halala' among Muslims.</p>

<p>A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud considered the submissions of senior advocate V Shekhar that the petitions be listed before a five-judge constitution bench for final adjudication.</p>

<p>"We will look into it," the bench said.</p>

<p>Shekhar and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, appearing for one of the Delhi-based petitioners Sameena Begum, alleged that she was threatened and asked to withdraw her petition challenging 'nikah halala' and polygamy among Muslims.</p>

<p>The bench, meanwhile, allowed Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, to file a response to the petition on the issue.</p>

<p>Nikah-halala is a practice intended to curb the incidence of divorce under which a man cannot remarry his former wife without her having to go through the process of marrying someone else, consummating it, getting divorced and observing a separation period called 'Iddat' before coming back to him.</p>

<p>The petition, filed by the Delhi-based woman, has said that by virtue of the Muslim Personal Law and Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code (marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife) was rendered inapplicable to Muslims and no married woman from the community has the avenue of filing a complaint against her husband for the offence of bigamy.&nbsp;</p>


Nikah-halala is a practice under which a man cannot remarry his former wife without her having to go through the process of marrying someone else, consummating it, getting divorced and observing a separation period called 'Iddat' before coming back to him.

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider listing of a batch of petitions challenging the practices of polygamy and 'nikah halala' among Muslims. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud considered the submissions of senior advocate V Shekhar that the petitions be listed before a five-judge constitution bench for final adjudication. "We will look into it," the bench said. Shekhar and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, appearing for one of the Delhi-based petitioners Sameena Begum, alleged that she was threatened and asked to withdraw her petition challenging 'nikah halala' and polygamy among Muslims. The bench, meanwhile, allowed Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, to file a response to the petition on the issue. Nikah-halala is a practice intended to curb the incidence of divorce under which a man cannot remarry his former wife without her having to go through the process of marrying someone else, consummating it, getting divorced and observing a separation period called 'Iddat' before coming back to him. The petition, filed by the Delhi-based woman, has said that by virtue of the Muslim Personal Law and Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code (marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife) was rendered inapplicable to Muslims and no married woman from the community has the avenue of filing a complaint against her husband for the offence of bigamy.

Supreme Court agrees for urgent listing of pleas against 'nikah-halala', polygamy

<p>The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has not delivered on the promised formalisation of the economy as yet, criticised the Congress party on Sunday.</p>

<p>This criticism by the Congress comes on the first year anniversary of the implementation of the GST in the country.</p>

<p>The Congress took to Twitter today and in a series to tweet said, "A year into implementation, the GST has not delivered on the promised formalisation of the economy as yet, while glitches have instead increased the demand of cash. #FailedGST"</p>

<p>They also claimed that the GST is one of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's U-Turns.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A year into implementation, the GST has not delivered on the promised formalisation of the economy as yet, while glitches have instead increased the demand of cash.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FailedGST?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FailedGST</a> <a href="https://t.co/1oihKPcAMr">pic.twitter.com/1oihKPcAMr</a></p>
— Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1013263423302352898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"The GST is one of PM Modi's U-Turns. The shoddily implemented and overcomplicated GST has failed the economy. Despite this, PM Modi continues to gloat about it," the Congress said.</p>

<p>The party also alleged that the ruling government in the Centre has failed in fulfilling the promises, made during the introduction of the GST.</p>

<p>"The huge value of GST, simplicity and ease of compliance & administration has failed. The GST has been largely ineffective in implementation with stacked refunds and cumbersome GST compliance procedures. #FailedGST," the party further tweeted.</p>

<p>The GST was rolled out in July last year, after months of deliberation.</p>

<p>Launched on the midnight on June 30 by Prime Minister Modi and the then President Pranab Mukherjee, the taxation scheme aimed at bringing all taxes into a single window along the lines of the 'One Nation - One Tax - One Market' goal.&nbsp</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The GST is one of PM Modi's U-Turns. The shoddily implemented and over complicated GST has failed the economy. Despite this, PM Modi continues to gloat about it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FailedGST?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FailedGST</a> <a href="https://t.co/xVzyqY9vqG">pic.twitter.com/xVzyqY9vqG</a></p>
— Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1013267522110382080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>However, the GST has been criticised time and again by the Opposition for its negative impact on small traders and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).&nbsp</p>


The Congress claimed that the GST is one of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's U-Turns

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has not delivered on the promised formalisation of the economy as yet, criticised the Congress party on Sunday. This criticism by the Congress comes on the first year anniversary of the implementation of the GST in the country. The Congress took to Twitter today and in a series to tweet said, "A year into implementation, the GST has not delivered on the promised formalisation of the economy as yet, while glitches have instead increased the demand of cash. #FailedGST" They also claimed that the GST is one of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's U-Turns. A year into implementation, the GST has not delivered on the promised formalisation of the economy as yet, while glitches have instead increased the demand of cash.#FailedGST pic.twitter.com/1oihKPcAMr — Congress (@INCIndia) July 1, 2018 × "The GST is one of PM Modi's U-Turns. The shoddily implemented and overcomplicated GST has failed the economy. Despite this, PM Modi continues to gloat about it," the Congress said. The party also alleged that the ruling government in the Centre has failed in fulfilling the promises, made during the introduction of the GST. "The huge value of GST, simplicity and ease of compliance & administration has failed. The GST has been largely ineffective in implementation with stacked refunds and cumbersome GST compliance procedures. #FailedGST," the party further tweeted. The GST was rolled out in July last year, after months of deliberation. Launched on the midnight on June 30 by Prime Minister Modi and the then President Pranab Mukherjee, the taxation scheme aimed at bringing all taxes into a single window along the lines of the 'One Nation - One Tax - One Market' goal. The GST is one of PM Modi's U-Turns. The shoddily implemented and over complicated GST has failed the economy. Despite this, PM Modi continues to gloat about it. #FailedGST pic.twitter.com/xVzyqY9vqG — Congress (@INCIndia) July 1, 2018 × However, the GST has been criticised time and again by the Opposition for its negative impact on small traders and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

GST has not delivered on promises: Congress

<p>Priyanka Chopra has been in headlines for a speculated relationship with American singer Nick Jonas. The couple has been spotted at various events with both of them visiting each other's families and Jonas showing up with Chopra at the engagement ceremony of Akash Ambani, Shloka Mehta.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest is Priyanka Chopra's heartwarming pictures from Nick Jonas' concert in Brazil.</p>

<p>Chopra's pictures, which are now doing the rounds on social media, show her absolutely captivated at the concert, capturing every minute of Jonas' performance in her smartphone.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0 padding:0 4px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkrPfJRAhlr/" style=" color:#000 font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">Aww! Priyanka in Brazil ?? for nick’s performance. #priyankachopra</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pcourheartbeat/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px" target="_blank"> Priyanka Chopra Fan Page ? ❤︎</a> (@pcourheartbeat) on <time datetime="2018-07-01T04:29:06+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">Jun 30, 2018 at 9:29pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>PC even shared a couple of stories on her Instagram from the concert, one of them is a picture of Nick singing during the concert which Priyanka captioned "Him" followed by a heart emoji.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With so much happening out in open, the rumours of Chopra-Jonas link-up are only gaining ground by the day.&nbsp;</p>


The latest is Priyanka Chopra's heartwarming pictures from Nick Jonas' concert in Brazil

Priyanka Chopra has been in headlines for a speculated relationship with American singer Nick Jonas. The couple has been spotted at various events with both of them visiting each other's families and Jonas showing up with Chopra at the engagement ceremony of Akash Ambani, Shloka Mehta. The latest is Priyanka Chopra's heartwarming pictures from Nick Jonas' concert in Brazil. Chopra's pictures, which are now doing the rounds on social media, show her absolutely captivated at the concert, capturing every minute of Jonas' performance in her smartphone. Aww! Priyanka in Brazil ?? for nick’s performance. #priyankachopra A post shared by Priyanka Chopra Fan Page ? ❤︎ (@pcourheartbeat) on Jun 30, 2018 at 9:29pm PDT × PC even shared a couple of stories on her Instagram from the concert, one of them is a picture of Nick singing during the concert which Priyanka captioned "Him" followed by a heart emoji. With so much happening out in open, the rumours of Chopra-Jonas link-up are only gaining ground by the day.

Priyanka Chopra's Instagram post rakes link-up rumours with Nick Jonas

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated the people of India on the first anniversary of the Goods and Services Tax. PM Modi took to Twitter and called the implementation of GST a "positive change in the Indian economy".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Prime Minister described the tax as, "a vibrant example of cooperative federalism and a ‘Team India’ spirit".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I congratulate the people of India on the special occasion of GST completing 1 year. A vibrant example of cooperative federalism and a ‘Team India’ spirit, GST has brought a positive change in the Indian economy," his tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">GST has brought growth, simplicity and transparency. It is:<br />
<br />
Boosting formalisation.<br />
<br />
Enhancing productivity.<br />
<br />
Furthering ‘Ease of Doing Business.’<br />
<br />
Benefitting small and medium enterprises. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GSTForNewIndia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GSTForNewIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/IGGwUm59rB">pic.twitter.com/IGGwUm59rB</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1013247935201579008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In another tweet, the Prime Minister noted GST implementation to have boosted formalisation, enhanced productivity, furthered 'ease of doing business' and benefitted small and medium enterprises.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With an aim to ease the tax system of the country, the Centre launched the GST on July 1 last year to bring in a regulated tax system.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I congratulate the people of India on the special occasion of GST completing 1 year.<br />
<br />
A vibrant example of cooperative federalism and a ‘Team India’ spirit, GST has brought a positive change in the Indian economy. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GSTForNewIndia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GSTForNewIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/PvZKtl2YIE">https://t.co/PvZKtl2YIE</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1013247281229910016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The GST bill consists of the CGST Act for the Centre, SGST Act for the states, UTGST Act for Union Territories and IGST Act as Integrated GST Act for the inter-state supply of goods or services.</p>

<p>Launched on the midnight on June 30 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then President Pranab Mukherjee, the taxation scheme aimed at bringing all taxes into a single window.</p>


With an aim to ease the tax system of the country, the Centre launched the GST on July 1 last year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated the people of India on the first anniversary of the Goods and Services Tax. PM Modi took to Twitter and called the implementation of GST a "positive change in the Indian economy". The Prime Minister described the tax as, "a vibrant example of cooperative federalism and a ‘Team India’ spirit". "I congratulate the people of India on the special occasion of GST completing 1 year. A vibrant example of cooperative federalism and a ‘Team India’ spirit, GST has brought a positive change in the Indian economy," his tweet read. GST has brought growth, simplicity and transparency. It is: Boosting formalisation. Enhancing productivity. Furthering ‘Ease of Doing Business.’ Benefitting small and medium enterprises. #GSTForNewIndia pic.twitter.com/IGGwUm59rB — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 1, 2018 × In another tweet, the Prime Minister noted GST implementation to have boosted formalisation, enhanced productivity, furthered 'ease of doing business' and benefitted small and medium enterprises. With an aim to ease the tax system of the country, the Centre launched the GST on July 1 last year to bring in a regulated tax system. I congratulate the people of India on the special occasion of GST completing 1 year. A vibrant example of cooperative federalism and a ‘Team India’ spirit, GST has brought a positive change in the Indian economy. #GSTForNewIndia https://t.co/PvZKtl2YIE — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 1, 2018 × The GST bill consists of the CGST Act for the Centre, SGST Act for the states, UTGST Act for Union Territories and IGST Act as Integrated GST Act for the inter-state supply of goods or services. Launched on the midnight on June 30 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then President Pranab Mukherjee, the taxation scheme aimed at bringing all taxes into a single window.

GST boosted economy, benefitted small enterprises: PM Modi

<p>Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India seems to be petering out with the inflows growth rate recording a five year low of 3 per cent to $ 44.85 billion in 2017-18.</p>

<p>According to the latest data of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), FDI in 2017-18 grew by only 3 per cent to $ 44.85 billion.</p>

<p>Foreign inflows in the country grew by 8.67 per cent in 2016-17, 29 per cent in 2015-16, 27 per cent in 2014-15, and 8 per cent in 2013-14.</p>

<p>However, the FDI inflows recorded a negative growth of 38 per cent in 2012-13.</p>

<p>According to the experts, it is critical to revive domestic investments and further ease of doing business in the country to attract foreign investors.</p>

<p>"The status of economy reflects the magnitude of the FDI in a country. In the past couple of years, we have seen decline in domestic investment rate and now, FDI is following that suit," Biswajit Dhar, professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University said.</p>

<p>He said that the government needs to take steps for reviving the domestic investment to attract foreign investors.</p>

<p>An UNCTAD report, too, has recently stated that the foreign direct investment in India decreased to USD 40 billion in 2017 from USD 44 billion in 2016 fiscal.</p>

<p>However, outflows from India, the main source of the FDI in South Asia, more than doubled to USD 11 billion, the report stated.</p>

<p>UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi has said, "Downward pressure on the FDI and slowdown in global value chains are a major concern for policymakers worldwide, and especially in developing countries".</p>

<p>The main sectors that received maximum foreign inflows in the last fiscal include services (USD 6.7 billion), computer software and hardware (USD 6.15 billion), telecommunications (USD 6.21 billion), trading (USD 4.34 billion), construction (USD 2.73 billion) automobile (USD 2 billion) and power (USD 1.62 billion) .</p>

<p>Mauritius has emerged as the largest source of FDI in India with USD 15.94 billion in 2017-18 followed by Singapore (USD 12.18 billion), Netherlands (USD 2.8 billion), the US (USD 2.1 billion) and Japan (USD 1.61 billion).</p>

<p>Further, the data showed that the FDI equity inflow of USD 44.8 billion in 2017-18 is the highest ever for any fiscal year.</p>

<p>FDI is important as India would require huge investments in the coming years to overhaul its infrastructure sector to boost growth. The decline in foreign inflows could put pressure on the country's balance of payments and may also impact the value of the rupee.&nbsp</p>


Foreign inflows in the country grew by 8.67 per cent in 2016-17, 29 per cent in 2015-16, 27 per cent in 2014-15, and 8 per cent in 2013-14.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India seems to be petering out with the inflows growth rate recording a five year low of 3 per cent to $ 44.85 billion in 2017-18. According to the latest data of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), FDI in 2017-18 grew by only 3 per cent to $ 44.85 billion. Foreign inflows in the country grew by 8.67 per cent in 2016-17, 29 per cent in 2015-16, 27 per cent in 2014-15, and 8 per cent in 2013-14. However, the FDI inflows recorded a negative growth of 38 per cent in 2012-13. According to the experts, it is critical to revive domestic investments and further ease of doing business in the country to attract foreign investors. "The status of economy reflects the magnitude of the FDI in a country. In the past couple of years, we have seen decline in domestic investment rate and now, FDI is following that suit," Biswajit Dhar, professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University said. He said that the government needs to take steps for reviving the domestic investment to attract foreign investors. An UNCTAD report, too, has recently stated that the foreign direct investment in India decreased to USD 40 billion in 2017 from USD 44 billion in 2016 fiscal. However, outflows from India, the main source of the FDI in South Asia, more than doubled to USD 11 billion, the report stated. UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi has said, "Downward pressure on the FDI and slowdown in global value chains are a major concern for policymakers worldwide, and especially in developing countries". The main sectors that received maximum foreign inflows in the last fiscal include services (USD 6.7 billion), computer software and hardware (USD 6.15 billion), telecommunications (USD 6.21 billion), trading (USD 4.34 billion), construction (USD 2.73 billion) automobile (USD 2 billion) and power (USD 1.62 billion) . Mauritius has emerged as the largest source of FDI in India with USD 15.94 billion in 2017-18 followed by Singapore (USD 12.18 billion), Netherlands (USD 2.8 billion), the US (USD 2.1 billion) and Japan (USD 1.61 billion). Further, the data showed that the FDI equity inflow of USD 44.8 billion in 2017-18 is the highest ever for any fiscal year. FDI is important as India would require huge investments in the coming years to overhaul its infrastructure sector to boost growth. The decline in foreign inflows could put pressure on the country's balance of payments and may also impact the value of the rupee.

FDI growth rate hits 5-year low in 2017-18: Government

<p>Hyder Moosvi of Hyderabad is up to some good cause. He, along with his team, serves free food to the poor and needy of the city.</p>

<p>Hyder's noble initiative began in the year 2015 when the team used to distribute free food packets to the needy eight to ten times in a month.</p>

<p>In March 2017, Moosvi decided to carry out the operations daily. Each packet costs the team around 40 rupees while total expenses for the month amount&nbsp;to Rs. 1.2 lakh.</p>

<p>"We started food distribution in the year 2015, but at that time we use to distribute eight to ten times in a month. From 31 March 2017, we started distributing food daily at Dabeerpura bridge. People who can`t afford food come here from various places, stand in line and take food packets," he told ANI. Moosvi further noted that if the team falls short of funds, a member from within the team itself pitches money to cover up the shortfall."We are really happy to serve those in need," Moosvi told ANI.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from ANI</em>)&nbsp;</p>


Hyder's noble initiative began in the year 2015

Hyder Moosvi of Hyderabad is up to some good cause. He, along with his team, serves free food to the poor and needy of the city. Hyder's noble initiative began in the year 2015 when the team used to distribute free food packets to the needy eight to ten times in a month. In March 2017, Moosvi decided to carry out the operations daily. Each packet costs the team around 40 rupees while total expenses for the month amount to Rs. 1.2 lakh. "We started food distribution in the year 2015, but at that time we use to distribute eight to ten times in a month. From 31 March 2017, we started distributing food daily at Dabeerpura bridge. People who can`t afford food come here from various places, stand in line and take food packets," he told ANI. Moosvi further noted that if the team falls short of funds, a member from within the team itself pitches money to cover up the shortfall."We are really happy to serve those in need," Moosvi told ANI. (With inputs from ANI)

Hyderabad man serves free food to poor every day

<p>Britain’s Defence Minister Gavin Williamson is reportedly under fire from within the UK Cabinet for turning down a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman, who was due to attend the first-ever UK-India Week here, a media report claimed Sunday. The meeting was requested over a month ago by Indian officials, and at least two British ministers including foreign secretary Boris Johnson reportedly sought to convince Williamson of the importance of finding time in the diary for Sitharaman.</p>

<p>Williamson, UK Secretary of State for defence, declined to meet Sitharaman’s three-day window of bilateral talks on security cooperation and defence procurement between June 20 and 22, according to The Sunday Times.</p>

<p>There was no immediate comment from the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi. “People are spitting blood about this,” the newspaper quoted a UK government source as saying. “India has one of the fastest-growing defence budgets in the world, spending something like USD 50 billion a year. It feels like another ill-judged move by Williamson,” the source said. The report said that Williamson has been accused of angering one of the world’s largest emerging economies by snubbing his Indian counterpart.</p>

<p>Manoj Ladwa, the Founder of UK-India Week organised in London and Buckinghamshire between June 18 and 22, said: “It would, of course, have been really good if Williamson could have spared some time, but let’s also not kid ourselves that the Indians will have lost too much sleep over it”.</p>

<p>The event, which included a two-day conclave and UK-India Awards, attracted a battery of senior political and business figures, including Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox, Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Foreign Office Minister Mark Field and Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable and the opposition Labour party representatives like Barry Gardiner.</p>

<p>From the Indian side, Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar was joined by finance and railways minister Piyush Goyal via live video link from New Delhi.</p>

<p>Sitharaman had been expected as the senior-most Indian attendee but the visit was put off as a meeting with Williamson did not work out. Ladwa – CEO of UK-based media house India Inc. – said as Brexit looms, the UK needs to be doing everything possible to engage with “special partners like India”.</p>

<p>“The UK and India have shared concerns about global and regional security. The opportunity for the UK to collaborate with India in defence matters has never been greater.</p>

<p>“It is therefore only right that so many senior UK leaders from across the political spectrum took the opportunity of UK-India Week to underline the importance of ties with India, across sectors and issues,” he said.</p>

<p>In his address during UK-India Week, India’s High Commissioner to the UK YK Sinha had highlighted that both countries are “on the same page” on a large number of issues but a lot more can be done to enhance trade ties.</p>

<p>“India is the UK’s 17th largest trading partner and the UK is India’s 15th largest trading partner. Our total trade last year was slightly over 16 billion pounds… It’s good but it’s certainly not good enough. We need to do much more,” said Sinha.</p>

<p>With the Indian Air Force (IAF) kick-starting the process of acquiring around 110 new fighter jets from global vendors in April, the UK would be keen to be among the countries in the running for the lucrative deal.</p>

<p>However, another bilateral discussion related to India-UK defence ties scheduled for next week was reportedly cancelled from the Indian side.</p>

<p>The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) indicated that a meeting between Sitharaman and Williamson is expected in the coming weeks, during the ongoing English summer. “The UK and India have an excellent, strong and deep defence relationship. A meeting between the defence secretary and his Indian counterpart is being planned for the summer,” a spokesperson added.</p>


Nirmala Sitharaman had been expected as the senior-most Indian attendee but the visit was put off as a meeting with British Defence Minister Gavin Williamson did not work out.

Britain’s Defence Minister Gavin Williamson is reportedly under fire from within the UK Cabinet for turning down a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman, who was due to attend the first-ever UK-India Week here, a media report claimed Sunday. The meeting was requested over a month ago by Indian officials, and at least two British ministers including foreign secretary Boris Johnson reportedly sought to convince Williamson of the importance of finding time in the diary for Sitharaman. Williamson, UK Secretary of State for defence, declined to meet Sitharaman’s three-day window of bilateral talks on security cooperation and defence procurement between June 20 and 22, according to The Sunday Times. There was no immediate comment from the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi. “People are spitting blood about this,” the newspaper quoted a UK government source as saying. “India has one of the fastest-growing defence budgets in the world, spending something like USD 50 billion a year. It feels like another ill-judged move by Williamson,” the source said. The report said that Williamson has been accused of angering one of the world’s largest emerging economies by snubbing his Indian counterpart. Manoj Ladwa, the Founder of UK-India Week organised in London and Buckinghamshire between June 18 and 22, said: “It would, of course, have been really good if Williamson could have spared some time, but let’s also not kid ourselves that the Indians will have lost too much sleep over it”. The event, which included a two-day conclave and UK-India Awards, attracted a battery of senior political and business figures, including Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox, Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Foreign Office Minister Mark Field and Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable and the opposition Labour party representatives like Barry Gardiner. From the Indian side, Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar was joined by finance and railways minister Piyush Goyal via live video link from New Delhi. Sitharaman had been expected as the senior-most Indian attendee but the visit was put off as a meeting with Williamson did not work out. Ladwa – CEO of UK-based media house India Inc. – said as Brexit looms, the UK needs to be doing everything possible to engage with “special partners like India”. “The UK and India have shared concerns about global and regional security. The opportunity for the UK to collaborate with India in defence matters has never been greater. “It is therefore only right that so many senior UK leaders from across the political spectrum took the opportunity of UK-India Week to underline the importance of ties with India, across sectors and issues,” he said. In his address during UK-India Week, India’s High Commissioner to the UK YK Sinha had highlighted that both countries are “on the same page” on a large number of issues but a lot more can be done to enhance trade ties. “India is the UK’s 17th largest trading partner and the UK is India’s 15th largest trading partner. Our total trade last year was slightly over 16 billion pounds… It’s good but it’s certainly not good enough. We need to do much more,” said Sinha. With the Indian Air Force (IAF) kick-starting the process of acquiring around 110 new fighter jets from global vendors in April, the UK would be keen to be among the countries in the running for the lucrative deal. However, another bilateral discussion related to India-UK defence ties scheduled for next week was reportedly cancelled from the Indian side. The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) indicated that a meeting between Sitharaman and Williamson is expected in the coming weeks, during the ongoing English summer. “The UK and India have an excellent, strong and deep defence relationship. A meeting between the defence secretary and his Indian counterpart is being planned for the summer,” a spokesperson added.

UK defence minister accused of snubbing Nirmala Sitharaman: Report

<p>Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and took stock of the flood situation in the state, besides assuring him of all central help, officials said.</p>

<p>During a telephonic conversation with Sonowal, the Union minister reviewed the situation in Assam where large areas are inundated by flood waters.</p>

<p>Singh told the chief minister that all possible support is being provided to Assam and other northeastern states for overcoming the flood situation, a Home Ministry official said.</p>

<p>In seven district's of the state, more than 30 people lost their lives in the floods.</p>

<p>Over 68,000 people were affected by the deluge in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Charaideo, Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA),<br />
Karimganj is the worst-affected district with nearly 44,000 people hit by the current wave of floods, followed by Hailakandi with around 10,000 affected people.</p>

<p>The much-awaited publication of the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a list of state's citizens, on June 30 has been deferred due to floods in the state.</p>

<p>In Arunachal Pradesh, four personnel of the Indo Tibetan Border Police were crushed to death on Friday when a huge boulder, loosened by monsoon rains, rolled down a mountain and hit their vehicle on the Basar-Akajan road in Lower Siang district.</p>

<p>This was the second landslide-related incident in the state within a week. The toll due to landslides this monsoon in Arunachal Pradesh has risen to nine.&nbsp;</p>


In seven district's of the state, more than 30 people lost their lives in the floods.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and took stock of the flood situation in the state, besides assuring him of all central help, officials said. During a telephonic conversation with Sonowal, the Union minister reviewed the situation in Assam where large areas are inundated by flood waters. Singh told the chief minister that all possible support is being provided to Assam and other northeastern states for overcoming the flood situation, a Home Ministry official said. In seven district's of the state, more than 30 people lost their lives in the floods. Over 68,000 people were affected by the deluge in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Charaideo, Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), Karimganj is the worst-affected district with nearly 44,000 people hit by the current wave of floods, followed by Hailakandi with around 10,000 affected people. The much-awaited publication of the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a list of state's citizens, on June 30 has been deferred due to floods in the state. In Arunachal Pradesh, four personnel of the Indo Tibetan Border Police were crushed to death on Friday when a huge boulder, loosened by monsoon rains, rolled down a mountain and hit their vehicle on the Basar-Akajan road in Lower Siang district. This was the second landslide-related incident in the state within a week. The toll due to landslides this monsoon in Arunachal Pradesh has risen to nine.

Rajnath calls up Assam chief minister; assures central help for floods

<p>All eyes were on Antilla, the home of Mukesh and Nita Ambani on Sunday, as their son Akash Ambani got engaged to Shloka Mehta in a dazzling ceremony.</p>

<p>The long guest list included several politicians, Bollywood celebrities, and industrialists.</p>

<p>For his wedding ensemble, Akash opted for a maroon sherwani while bride-to-be Shloka&nbsp;looked stunning in a pink and grey Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla lehenga. She also wore simple&nbsp;but elegant jewellery.</p>

<p>The designer duo also posted their photos on Instagramm, sharing Shloka's look for the evening along with the caption, "Shloka Mehta is aglow at her engagement in Bespoke Bridal Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Couture."</p>

<p>Nita and Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani's sister, opted for the same designer and donned outfits in similar shades of pink.</p>

<p>Isha Ambani also posted various pictures of the function on Twitter:&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="fr">Bhai Ki Engagement Ceremony Ki Pic's ??? <a href="https://t.co/YybGDR7Zyj">pic.twitter.com/YybGDR7Zyj</a></p>
— Isha Ambani (@ambani_isha) <a href="https://twitter.com/ambani_isha/status/1013116462477688832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My Best Fnd Nw My Best Bhabhi ❤?? <a href="https://t.co/6ZUU5L9a3i">pic.twitter.com/6ZUU5L9a3i</a></p>
— Isha Ambani (@ambani_isha) <a href="https://twitter.com/ambani_isha/status/1013119853010407424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>Actor Madhuri Dixit Nene and husband Dr&nbsp;Sriram Nene made an appearance at the event. But the rumoured couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas were the ones who stole the spotlight from the newly engaged couple.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">[ Video ] Madhuri Dixit and Dr. Nene at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AkashAmbani?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AkashAmbani</a> ‘s engagement. <a href="https://t.co/T6dmwLpUTS">pic.twitter.com/T6dmwLpUTS</a></p>
— BUCKET LIST IN CINEMAS NOW (@MDsArabWorld) <a href="https://twitter.com/MDsArabWorld/status/1013155453713428480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pictures of Priyanka Chopra entering the venue while holding hands of her rumoured beau Nick Jonas are also circulating on social media</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra arriving at Shloka Mehta and Akash Ambani 's pre engagement party, tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NickJonas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NickJonas</a> <a href="https://t.co/VTCKBzCFrK">pic.twitter.com/VTCKBzCFrK</a></p>
— Nick Jonas Fandom (@NickJonasUPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickJonasUPD/status/1012358212862070784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Bollywood's perfectionist Aamir Khan and wife Kiran Rao also attended the function.</p>

<p>Among others present at the starry night are Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Shraddha Kapoor and Karan Johar, to name a few.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PICS : Alia Bhatt at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AkashAmbani?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AkashAmbani</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShlokaMehta?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShlokaMehta</a>'s engagement party ? <a href="https://t.co/KjilZjzCH8">pic.twitter.com/KjilZjzCH8</a></p>
— Team Alia Bhatt (@TeamOfAliaBhatt) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamOfAliaBhatt/status/1013135758574653442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/iamsrk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iamsrk</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KajolAtUN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KajolAtUN</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/karanjohar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@karanjohar</a> pose for a happy picture at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AkashAmbani?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AkashAmbani</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShlokaMehta?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShlokaMehta</a>'s engagement celebration last night. <a href="https://t.co/Z36HzfZWk5">pic.twitter.com/Z36HzfZWk5</a></p>
— Filmfare (@filmfare) <a href="https://twitter.com/filmfare/status/1013301596778684416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Akash proposed to Shloka couple of months ago at a private ceremony in Goa that was attended by both the families.</p>

<p>The wedding date is yet to be finalised.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


The long guest list of the event included several politicians, Bollywood celebrities and industrialists. The limelight though was stolen was rumoured couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas

All eyes were on Antilla, the home of Mukesh and Nita Ambani on Sunday, as their son Akash Ambani got engaged to Shloka Mehta in a dazzling ceremony. The long guest list included several politicians, Bollywood celebrities, and industrialists. For his wedding ensemble, Akash opted for a maroon sherwani while bride-to-be Shloka looked stunning in a pink and grey Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla lehenga. She also wore simple but elegant jewellery. The designer duo also posted their photos on Instagramm, sharing Shloka's look for the evening along with the caption, "Shloka Mehta is aglow at her engagement in Bespoke Bridal Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Couture." Nita and Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani's sister, opted for the same designer and donned outfits in similar shades of pink. Isha Ambani also posted various pictures of the function on Twitter: Bhai Ki Engagement Ceremony Ki Pic's ??? pic.twitter.com/YybGDR7Zyj — Isha Ambani (@ambani_isha) June 30, 2018 × My Best Fnd Nw My Best Bhabhi ❤?? pic.twitter.com/6ZUU5L9a3i — Isha Ambani (@ambani_isha) June 30, 2018 × Actor Madhuri Dixit Nene and husband Dr Sriram Nene made an appearance at the event. But the rumoured couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas were the ones who stole the spotlight from the newly engaged couple. [ Video ] Madhuri Dixit and Dr. Nene at #AkashAmbani ‘s engagement. pic.twitter.com/T6dmwLpUTS — BUCKET LIST IN CINEMAS NOW (@MDsArabWorld) June 30, 2018 × Pictures of Priyanka Chopra entering the venue while holding hands of her rumoured beau Nick Jonas are also circulating on social media Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra arriving at Shloka Mehta and Akash Ambani 's pre engagement party, tonight. #NickJonas pic.twitter.com/VTCKBzCFrK — Nick Jonas Fandom (@NickJonasUPD) June 28, 2018 × Bollywood's perfectionist Aamir Khan and wife Kiran Rao also attended the function. Among others present at the starry night are Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Shraddha Kapoor and Karan Johar, to name a few. PICS : Alia Bhatt at #AkashAmbani and #ShlokaMehta's engagement party ? pic.twitter.com/KjilZjzCH8 — Team Alia Bhatt (@TeamOfAliaBhatt) June 30, 2018 × .@iamsrk, @KajolAtUN and @karanjohar pose for a happy picture at #AkashAmbani and #ShlokaMehta's engagement celebration last night. pic.twitter.com/Z36HzfZWk5 — Filmfare (@filmfare) July 1, 2018 × Akash proposed to Shloka couple of months ago at a private ceremony in Goa that was attended by both the families. The wedding date is yet to be finalised. (With inputs from ANI)

Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas steal limelight at Akash Ambani-Shloka Mehta engagement

<p>Citing the alleged sexual abuse of a married woman by five priests of a church, women members of a Kerala-based outfit today sought reform of the centuries-old method of the sacrament of confession, saying nuns be allowed to perform the penance for women.</p>

<p>Representatives of the Kerala Church Act Action Council, an outfit comprising members from various church denominations who stand for reforms in the Church, said there was a possibility of intimate confessions by women being "misused" in the present form.</p>

<p>Last month, a man from Pathanamthitta district accused five priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Kerala of using his wife's secret confession to blackmail and sexually abuse her.</p>

<p>The alleged sexual abuse by Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church priests came to light after an audio clip containing the victim's husband's purported conversation with a church official alleging sexual abuse of his wife by the priests was widely circulated on the social media.</p>

<p>Vice-chairperson of the Kerala Church Act Action Council, Indulekha Joseph said this incident could not be viewed as an isolated episode and similar incidents might have been taking place across denominations for decades.</p>

<p>Also Read: NCW directs Kerala police to probe the sexual exploitation case involving five priests</p>

<p>Joseph termed the practice of only priests performing the sacrament of confession an example of gender bias in the Church.</p>

<p>"Why are nuns not being allowed to perform the same? They are also strictly adhering to the church rules and following the prescribed norms. Hence, they should be allowed to perform the penance for women and minors instead of priests," she said.</p>

<p>She claimed that nowhere in the Bible has it been said that only priests should perform the sacrament of confession.</p>

<p>"Otherwise, an ancient method like 'Pizhamoolal', in which believers seek forgiveness by recounting their sins in their minds in the presence of a priest, should be reinstated. There is no need for vocal confession," Joseph said.</p>

<p>"The women members of our outfit will stage a dharna in front of the Secretariat here on July 7 demanding government intervention to end the exploitation of women in the name of the religious practice," she told PTI.</p>

<p>Joseph, also a lawyer, said the group had raised the same demand last year after a Catholic priest allegedly raped a minor girl in Kannur district's Kottiyoor village.</p>

<p>Though a representation was given to the church authorities, no action was taken, she said.</p>


Representatives of the Kerala Church Act Action Council who stand for reforms in the Church said there was a possibility of intimate confessions by women being "misused" in the present form.

Citing the alleged sexual abuse of a married woman by five priests of a church, women members of a Kerala-based outfit today sought reform of the centuries-old method of the sacrament of confession, saying nuns be allowed to perform the penance for women. Representatives of the Kerala Church Act Action Council, an outfit comprising members from various church denominations who stand for reforms in the Church, said there was a possibility of intimate confessions by women being "misused" in the present form. Last month, a man from Pathanamthitta district accused five priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Kerala of using his wife's secret confession to blackmail and sexually abuse her. The alleged sexual abuse by Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church priests came to light after an audio clip containing the victim's husband's purported conversation with a church official alleging sexual abuse of his wife by the priests was widely circulated on the social media. Vice-chairperson of the Kerala Church Act Action Council, Indulekha Joseph said this incident could not be viewed as an isolated episode and similar incidents might have been taking place across denominations for decades. Also Read: NCW directs Kerala police to probe the sexual exploitation case involving five priests Joseph termed the practice of only priests performing the sacrament of confession an example of gender bias in the Church. "Why are nuns not being allowed to perform the same? They are also strictly adhering to the church rules and following the prescribed norms. Hence, they should be allowed to perform the penance for women and minors instead of priests," she said. She claimed that nowhere in the Bible has it been said that only priests should perform the sacrament of confession. "Otherwise, an ancient method like 'Pizhamoolal', in which believers seek forgiveness by recounting their sins in their minds in the presence of a priest, should be reinstated. There is no need for vocal confession," Joseph said. "The women members of our outfit will stage a dharna in front of the Secretariat here on July 7 demanding government intervention to end the exploitation of women in the name of the religious practice," she told PTI. Joseph, also a lawyer, said the group had raised the same demand last year after a Catholic priest allegedly raped a minor girl in Kannur district's Kottiyoor village. Though a representation was given to the church authorities, no action was taken, she said.

Let nuns hear confession in church: Kerala outfit after sexual abuse case

This segment of WION brings to you latest updates. Kashmiri womans' cry for help and husband's emotional appeal reaches Kuwait.

Kashmiri womans' cry for help reaches Kuwait

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